SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have named longtime baseball executive John Barr as a Special Assistant to the General Manger who will oversee amateur and professional scouting, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today. The team also announced the promotion of Doug Mapson to Coordinator of Amateur Scouting.

Barr, who was responsible for signing All-Star catcher Russell Martin as well as relievers Jonathan Broxton and Scott Proctor during his 10-year stint as the Dodgers East Coast Scouting Supervisor, will begin his 25th season as a baseball executive in 2008. He has served as a Scouting Director for the Baltimore Orioles (1989-90) and New York Mets (1994-97), while also working as the Assistant General Manager for the San Diego Padres (1994-97). After entering the baseball front office ranks in 1984 with the Mets as an administrative assistant to the minor leagues and scouting, the Audobon, New Jersey native became the East Coast Scouting Director for the Minnesota Twins in 1988.

"We welcome the addition of John's expertise to the Giants," said Sabean. "We feel that his baseball experiences and people skills will be a welcome asset to our organization immediately."

The 50-year-old Barr was instrumental with selecting Mike Mussina (1990) and Ben McDonald (1989) with the Orioles' first-round draft picks, while also tabbing Paul Wilson for the Mets in 1994. During his tenure as the Scouting Director for the Mets, he also picked right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett, along with outfielders Jay Payton and Terrence Long.

The Haddonfield, NJ resident played collegiate baseball at Rider College in Lawrenceville, NJ, while earning a B.S. degree in Commerce in 1979.

Mapson, who is entering his 16th season with the Giants, will report to Barr and assist in coordinating the Giants' amateur scouting staff in the field. The longtime scout has served as San Francisco's National Cross-Checker for the past six seasons after serving as a special assignment scout and Western Cross-Checker for the first 10 years with the organization. Prior to joining San Francisco, he was a scout for the Chicago Cubs.

With today's announcement, Vice President, Player Personnel Dick Tidrow will spend more time assisting Sabean at the Major League level and with player development.